Clamp structure for adjustable drafting tables



Dec, 9, 1952 R BRQWN Z,62l,@94

CLAMP STRUCTURE FOR ADJUSTABLE DRAFTING TABLES Filed April 9, 1951INVENTOR. fiaefi/ M. 5mm? BY I Patented Dec. 9, 1952 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE GLAMP STRUCTURE FOR ADJUSTABLE DRAFTING TABLES 3 Claims.

This invention relates to drafting tables, particularly those having anumber of specially formed brackets and supporting features capable ofrendering the table highly adjustable, the primary object therefore,relating to the adjustable construction of the table.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide adrafting table that includes the customary fiat panel, and having novelsupporting means therefor that includes a fixture having a horizontaland a vertical leg, the former being rotatably secured to the panel andthe vertical leg having rotatable mounting means whereby the panel maybe swung both on vertical and horizontal axes.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of adrafting table that includes a standard adapted for mounting upon asupport, the standard having a clamp for releasably securing one leg ofan L-shaped fixture thereto, the other leg of the fixture havingrotatable attachment to a flat panel, all to the end that the panel maybe rotated on a horizontal axis and on a vertical axis to suit thedesires of the draftsman.

Other objects include details of construction such as the tubular natureof the aforesaid clamping standard, the provision of a pair of brackets,each of which of themselves have clamping means forming a part thereofand many other more minor details of construction, all of which will bemade clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an adjustable drafting table madepursuant to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on lineIIIIII of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line IVIV of Fig.1; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, stretched-out view of one of the clamps.

A flat panel it! forms a part of the drafting table about to bedescribed and is provided on the lowermost face thereof with a pair ofspaced-apart, parallel, identical brackets broadly designated by thenumeral l2. Elongated brackets I2 are substantially channel-shaped andprovided with a continuous out-turned flange M at the uppermost openedge thereof.

Flange 14 of each bracket I2 is in turn provided with a number ofspaced-apart, elongated slots (not shown) adapted to receive screws IEor other mounting means to secure the bracketsl2 to the normallylowermost face of the panel Ill. The bight or lowermost wall of thebrackets I2 are provided with portions l8 and 20 that angle downwardlyaway from the lowermost'face of the panel ID as the center of thebrackets I21- is approached. In other words, the lowermost" 22 that issubstantially parallel with the longitudinal edges of panel l0.

Each bracket I2 is provided with a central, transverse tube or hub 24for rotatably receiv ing a horizontal, tubular leg 26 of a fixturebroad- It is seen 1y designated by the numeral 28. that the tube or hub24 is on one side of shoulder 22 adjacent portion 2:] and protrudesslightly beyond the vertical side walls of bracket 12 as illustrated inFig. l of the drawings.

Fixture 28 includes in addition to the horizontal tubular leg 26, a head38 on one end of the latter that in turn receives a vertical tubular leg40 forming a part of fixture 28. Vertical leg 40 is rotatably mounted inan elongated, tubular standard 42 that is in turn rigidly secured to atable, desk or other support 44.

An L-shaped plate 46 rigid to standard 42 at the uppermost end thereof,is secured to the top face 48 and to one side wall 50 of support 44by's'crews, bolts' or'other fastening elements 52 and 54 respectively.The lowermost end of, standard 42 is joined to wall 50 by opposed plates3 or cars '55 receiving fasteners 58. 4

Three substantially identical clamps 60, 62 an i 54 are provided toreleasably join fixture 28 to brackets I2 and standard 42 respectively.Each bracket I2 has an opening 66 therein adjacent shoulder 22 thatregisters with an opening 68 in the corresponding tubular hub 25.Likewise, standard 42 is provided with a tubular extension 70registering with the interior of standard. 42. The clamps 69, 62 and 64each comprise a pair of perforated, cylindrical plugs 12 and 14, thelatter being internally threaded to receive a bolt 16 provided with aflange l8 and a swing-- bolt 16, the vertical leg 40 of fixture 28 maybe freely rotated within the standard 42 and on the vertical axis of thelatter. Such loosening of the clamp 64 permits the plugs 72-74 toseparate and the ears 46 to thus release their grip on leg 40. As soonas the operator has rotated the panel to a desired position on thevertical axes of standard 42 and vertical leg 40, the handle 80 of clamp64 may be utilized to rotate the bolt 16 and thereby secure standard 42to the leg 40. It is seen that as the plugs 72 and 14 are moved togetherby bolt 76, they will be brought into tight wedging engagement with theleg 40.

Similarly, the angularity of the panel I0 may be adjusted by looseningof the clamps 66 and 62. Panel I0, together with its two brackets 12,may then be freely rotated on the horizontal leg 26 until the uppermostface of the panel I!) is at a desired angularity such as illustrated bydotted lines in Fig. 2. The operator thereupon grasps the handles 80 ofclamps 60 and 62, rotates the bolts 16 thereof and brings the plugs 72and 74 into clamping relationship with the tubular leg 26.

It is seen that slight raising of the leg 49 will clear the panel I 0 sothat the same may be tipped to a position where the same will not strikethe support 50, and if desired, panel [0 may be positioned verticallyand swung out of the way when not in use. The operator may use the boardfrom either of the longitudinal edges thereof when the leg 26 isextended outwardly from the support 50 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2,or if desired, the leg 26- may be swung to a position substantiallyparallel with the outermost edges of the support 50 and the operator canthereby use the table While facing support 50. The entire adjustabledrafting table is exceedingly strong and capable of withstanding atremendous amount of weight limited only by the strength of the support50 therefor. Further, by virtue of the free movement of leg 40 withinstandard 42, the height of panel [0 may be varied to suit theconvenience and desires of different users.

As a further aid to clamp 64 in preventing downward slippage of leg 40in standard 42 and to maintain a selected height for panel l0 duringrotation of leg 40, there may be provided a split ring 84 clamped on leg40 by bolt and wingnut means 86, ring 84 resting on the uppermost end ofstandard 42.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a drafting table having a pair of tubular members, one telescopedwithin the other, clamping means comprising an extension on theoutermost of said members having a cylindrical bore therethrough andcommunicating with the interior of said outermost member along one sideof the extension; a pair of spaced follower elements mounted in the borefor movement toward and away from each other and engaging the innermostof said members; and means interconnecting said elements for drawing thesame toward each other tightly against said innermost member to hold themembers against relative movement.

2. In a drafting table having a pair of tubular members, one telescopedwithin the other, clamping means comprising an extension on theoutermost of said members having a cylindrical bore therethrough andcommunicating with the interior of said outermost member along one sideof the extension; 2. pair of spaced follower elements mounted in thebore for movement toward and away from each other and engaging theinnermost of said members; and means interconnecting said elements fordrawing the same toward each other tightly against said innermost memberto hold the members against relative movement, each follower elementhaving a notch conforming to the configuration of the outermost face ofsaid innermost member and bearing thereagainst.

3. In a drafting table having a pair of tubular members, one telescopedwithin the other, clamping means comprising an extension on theoutermost of said members having a cylindrical bore therethrough andcommunicating with the interior of said outermost member along one sideof the extension; a pair of spaced follower elements mounted in the borefor movement toward and away from each other and engaging the innermostof said members; and means interconnecting said elements for drawing thesame toward each other tightly against said innermost member to hold themembers against relative movement, one of the elements comprising a nut,the other a collar, said means comprising a bolt having the nut on oneend thereof and the collar threaded thereon adjacent the opposite end ofthe bolt.

ROBERT M. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 672,573 Sidway Apr. 23, 1901937,480 Smith et al Oct. 19, 1909 1,053,357 Carter Feb. 18, 19131,079,487 Hasenzahl Nov. 25, 1913 1,372,261 Wilson Mar. 22, 19211,662,675 Innes Mar. 13, 1928 1,862,237 Pepler June 7, 1932 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 337,196 Great Britain Oct. 30, 1930

